Meet the artists

Artists from the APY Lands region are celebrated for their strong use of colour, dynamic movement and unique way of transforming Tjukurpa (Law), Ngura (Country), and Inma (ceremony) into vibrant articulations on canvas. Songs are often shared by the artists while painting: a way of singing stories to life while augmenting and transferring the power of the Tjukurpa into the work. Drawn to the expansiveness of large canvases, artists explore various themes around Country, capturing the many undulations of Anangu knowledge, creation stories, the landscape and its significant sites, in artworks that are culturally and visually powerful.

In these stunning works artists tell his or her own story, or parts of stories that may pertain to them and their families - each with a unique artistic style. Those stories are often told in different versions across the Lands, and continue beyond them to other regions of Australia. Art centres in the Lands are significant cultural hubs where senior Anangu come together with young and emerging artists to share and continue the stories of their country, keeping them strong and vibrant.

Interact with the images below to explore the artworks and meet the artists

APY Lands women's collaborative painting

APY LANDS MEn's collaborative painting and kulata tjuta project

apy tjanpi weavers collaborative installation

Tjilpi pampangka tjungu munu itingka wakarinyi walytjapitingka. Nyanga paluru Ananguku mulapa. - The old men and women work side by side with their families, their children and grandchildren. This is Anangu way.

— Mumu Mike Williams, artist and director of Mimili Maku

Tjulkiwa Atira Atira

SAndy Brumby

...everything here is my memory – my knowledge, I like to paint the memories of my country.

— Artist Peter Mungkuri

Kunmanara (Gordon) Ingkatji

Tjilpi Kunmanara Kankapangatja

Jimmy Donegan

Kunmanara (Dickie) Minyintiri

Kunmanara (Whiskey) Tjukangku

Witjiti George

I want to talk to you my friends. Listen to me, open your ears and listen!

— Artist Nyurpaya Kaika Burton

Unrupa Rhonda Dick

Ernabella Women's Ceramics

Kunmanara (Ruby Tjungawa) Williamson

Ray Ken

Pepai Carroll

KUNMANARA Burton

Peter Mungkuri

Nyukana Norris

Alec Baker

Tuppy Ngintja Goodwin

Vincent Namatjira

Manyitjanu Lennon

Kunmanara (Milatjari) Pumani

Harry Tjutjuna

Puntjina Monica Watson

Wawiriya Burton and Kunmanara (Ruby Tjungawa) Williamson

Kunmanara (Nellie) Stewart

IMITJALA CURLEY

Kunmanara (Tjampawa Katie) Kawiny

Barbara Moore

kunmanara Burton in collaboration with Kunmanara (Barney) WAngin

Kunmanara (JIMMY) Baker

Niningka Lewis

Taylor Cooper

Betty Kuntiwa Pumani

‘My mother Milatjari Pumani taught me how to respect Maku Tjukurpa for Mimili. I want to teach my children and grandchildren what Mimili means for Maku Dreaming.’